.....He bringeth forth grass for the cattle;
and green herb for the service of men; That he may bring food out
of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man; and oil
to make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen a man's
heart.- The Prayer Book, 1662

A
meal cooked outdoors is one of the greatest joys of summer!
Everything's so casual too! Grilling for guests in the back yard is one
of the most enjoyable part of summer parties. Many foods can he pre-prepared
early to make your grilling smooth. Dont forget to grill some vegetables,
too! Cobs of corn, especially, taste delicious at a summer cookout.

Decorations should be simple, or none
at all. Simple checked tablecloths will work, or you can use a western
theme with lanterns and cowboy decorations.... use red bandanas wrapped
with twine for napkins... Boots with fresh flowers, kerosene lanterns,
country music, wagon wheels, rusty farm tools, etc...

PlumParty is more than a party supplies
online catalog. It’s a great source of inspiration, a home site
for entertaining, a truly user-friendly place for learning and perfecting
"the art of celebration."Actual products may vary - Visit website for
current selection.

As the saying goes ‘Everything is big in Texas’, the Texan BBQ
Party is no exception. You do not have to go to Texas. Stay where
you are and we offer you swashing ideas for a Texan BBQ Party.

Set the backdrop

Texan BBQ Party will be a fun – frolicking experience for you and
your guests. To be swept in the mood of Texan style party forgo
the fancy flatware and get to the down-home approach. So set the
stage for the Texan mood at your backyard.

Start with a dress code of faded blue jeans or head-to-spur fringe
to keep the guests in a Texan frame of mind. You may bring out some
posers with naughty slogans like – ‘high noon until the cows come
home’ or ‘eat barbecue without a napkin’ etc. Spread a desperado
décor by turning your backyard into tumbleweed-strewn dust bowl
with straw on your deck or patio and hay bales for guests to sit.
Cast-iron cookware, dinner bell, cowboy boots, saddles, horseshoes,
bedrolls, wagon wheels, dried chilli pepper, rope, Texan flag and
many more of your innovative ideas to bring the right mood. A county
toe-tapping music by Texas born country artists is a must, without
which it would be a big bore.

Unfold a red checked or denim tablecloth. For napkins, make some
colorful bandanas tied with rope or even sheriff’s star work wonderfully
at your Texan BBQ Party. Make ‘guest name cards’ to place on the
tables, which makes them feel special. Add decorative centerpiece
on clay pots with cactus or hide a pot in an old pair of boots and
some fresh flowers in the pots.

A Texan’s mouth waters like the Colorado River for a slab of spareribs
or a hunk of corn bread. The food turns attractive with mouth-watering
varieties of special hot sauce. For adventurous guests add tortilla
chips and funky salt and peppershakers. If possible keep the drinks
in old styled washtub filled with ice.

Fun at the BBQ party

Guests may be unknown to each other. Bring in fun and break the
ice with a dance lesson. Invite guests on the floor barefoot or
with cowboy boots for a line dancing class.

Texas Hold’em is a fast and funny game of 2-10 people. The objective
is to finish with the best poker hand and win the pot.

Cattle Corral is steer roping. Position a pint-sized wrangler a
few feet away and try catching the cattle.

Squirt-gun-showdown to set a lit candle or an empty soda can and
get your guests to shoot a water pistol to either knock out the
flame or the can first.

Just because sun sets, it does not mean fun has to end, set up
a campfire, which is legendary with Texas cowboys, and invite someone
to strum a song on the six string to reach to the climax of Texan
BBQ party.

Water Balloon Toss
Divide group into teams of two
players and give each team a filled water balloon. Line the teams
up an equal distance apart. Players toss the balloon to their partner;
and, then, everyone steps back one step. if a teams balloon breaks,
they are out of the game. Keep tossing the water balloon and taking
a step back, until one team is left with an intact water balloon.
Water Balloon Towel Catch Split guests into teams of four, giving them each a beach towel.
Set them a predetermined length apart and have two from each team
launch a water balloon with the beach towel. The other two must
run and catch the water balloon in their towel. The team to catch
the most balloons without breaking them wins.
Outdoor Activity PackS&S Worldwide

Combine all the above ingredients except the chicken, vegetable
oil and coke or beer. Remove and throw away the neck, giblets, and
any extra fat off the chicken. Rinse the chicken, inside and out,
under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Spray with cooking
spray or brush all over with the vegetable oil and season, inside
and out, with the rub.

Open the Coke or Beer can and pour off about 1/3 of the Coke or
Beer. Set the partially emptied can on a flat surface and place
the chicken over the top so the can fits inside the cavity of the
chicken. Move the chicken to the grill, keeping the can upright.
Carefully balance the chicken over the Coke or Beer can. Grill over
Indirect Medium heat until the juices run clear and the internal
temperature reaches 170°F in the breast and 180°F in the thickest
part of the thigh, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Either wear oven mitts
or grab two oven pads, carefully remove the chicken and the can
from the grill, and be careful not to spill the Coke or Beer because
it will be hot and could burn you. Let the chicken rest for about
10 minutes before lifting it from the can. Discard the Coke or Beer.
Cut the chicken up to your desire and right away.

Serves 4 to 6

Note: For a sweeter chicken use Coke.

Go to Cristie's Cookin to find more recipes and spices. Be sure
to submit your favorite recipe to win a "Gotcha Covered" apron from
Cristie's Cookin.